Bertelsmann Weighs IPO to Finance Expansion

Thomas Rabe, who took over as CEO of Bertelsmann this year, said the company was looking for ways to accelerate its move into digital businesses and developing economies. While Bertelsmann’s portfolio includes the publisher Random House and the developer of international television hits like “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” 80 percent of the company’s revenue comes from slow-growing Europe.

“Clearly if we are going to make more strategic and sizable investments, then more capital will be required,” Rabe said during an interview in Berlin.

Rabe said an initial public offering was only one of several capital-raising options being considered by Bertelsmann.